Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bagdad-Matamoros, C.S.A.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Bagdad-Matamoros, C.S.A. Marker

Inscription. Civil War "Sister Cities" across the river in neutral Mexico, were linked to Texas by a ferry which landed here.

Ferry hauled to Matamoros the Confederate cotton brought from East Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas to Brownsville in Matamoros, many speculators and agents vied for cotton to ship to Europe via Havana. They offered in exchange vital goods: guns, ammunition, drugs, shoes, cloth.

At Bagdad, on the gulf, cotton was loaded from small boats onto ships riding the Gulf of Mexico, goods crossing here were the South's lifeblood.

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 275.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 25° 53.947′ N, 97° 29.748′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is at the intersection of West University Boulevard and International Blvd, on the left when traveling south on West University Boulevard. The marker is located in the northwest corner of the Xeriscape Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 West University Blvd, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Brown (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Stillman House (about 600 feet away); Home of Charles Stillman (about 600 feet away); Stillman House Museum (about 700 feet away); Stillman House / Residencia Stillman (about 700 feet away); Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman (about 700 feet away); San Roman Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Román Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Also see . . . Wartime Cotton Trade. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

At the onset of the Civil War, it was the policy of the newly-created Confederate States of America to withhold cotton from European markets in the hopes of inducing either foreign intervention or, at the very least, encouraging recognition of the fledgling Confederacy. It was believed that cotton was “king” and that foreign markets required the South’s most valuable staple crop in order to support European economies. As a result, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet adopted a policy that came to be known as King Cotton Diplomacy. This policy hinged on
Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. The Bagdad-Matamoros, C.S.A. Marker next to the Landing of the First Missionaries monument
the farce that early in the war the Union blockade denied Confederate shipment of cotton to Europe and aimed at provoking European (most notably the British) intervention.

(Submitted on May 14, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Welcome to the USA sign next to the border crossing to Matamoros, Mexico image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. The Welcome to the USA sign next to the border crossing to Matamoros, Mexico

The marker is located next to the palm tree.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 14, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.